CLINICAL AND ENDOSCOPIC-MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI-ASSOCIATED CHRONIC GASTRITIS IN YOUNG ADULTS.

Helicobacter pylori-associated chronic gastritis remains one of the most common diseases of the digestive system and is the principal precursor of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. We examined 96 patients aged 18-35 years with H. pylori-associated chronic gastritis and 30 healthy volunteers. The leading complaints were epigastric pain (85.4%) and dyspepsia (63.5%). Endoscopically, antral erythematous gastropathy predominated (60.4%), while erosions were detected in 21.9% of patients. Histological examination showed moderate or severe mononuclear infiltration in 65.6% and neutrophil activity in 74.0% of cases. The serum pepsinogen I/II ratio was 34.6% lower than in controls. Infection with CagA-positive strains was associated with a threefold higher frequency of erosive changes, which justifies early diagnosis and eradication therapy in young patients.